Decline in roads to population ratio
On every island since 1970, the ratio of roads to population declined. Maui and Big Island’s ratio of roads to population dropped by more than 50%. And while Oahu’s ratio seems miniscule in comparison, the problem is Oahu’s 1.8 ratio of roads to population is the lowest among all islands statewide (compared to 7 miles/ 1000 population on Kauai, 4.8 on Maui, 10 on Big Island).
1970 - 2000 POPULATION: ROADS, HIGHWAYS including unpaved roads
STATEWIDE: Population increased 57% (769.9 to 1211.5 = 441,600)
Roads, Highways increased 19% (3584.7 to 4256.1 = 676.4 miles)
4.7mi/1000 population to 3.5mi/1000 population
KAUAI: Population increased 110% (27.9k to 58.5k)
Road/highway miles increased 28% (320.51m to 412.41m)
11.5mi/1000 pop to 7mi/1000 pop
MAUI: Population increased 231% (38.7k to 128.2k)
Road/highway miles increased 19% (519.92m to 620.08m)
13.3mi/1000 pop to 4.8mi/1000 pop
HAWAII: Population increased 134% (63.5k to 148.7k)
Road/highway miles increased 8% (1380.3m to 1493.7m)
21.6mi/1000 pop to 10.0mi/1000 pop
OAHU: Population increased 39% (630.5k to 876.2k)
Road/highways increased 28% (1212.2m to 1547.6m)
1.9mi/1000pop to 1.8mi/1000 pop
Source: Hawaii State Data Book - Roads & Populations